Casino Boogie

Plans Emerge For a Casino-Hotel Near the Sports Complex

Xfinity Live! would be just two blocks away.
Xfinity Live! would be just two blocks away. Photo: Xfinity Live!

Looks like Bart Blatstein has some competition in his bid to become a casino mogul. Parx Casino owners, Greenwood Gaming & Entertainment Inc., have partnered with Cordish Cos., which owns Maryland’s top-grossing casino, and co-owns Xfinity Live! with Comcast-Spectacor, has thrown its hat into the ring for Philly’s second gaming license. Today’s Inky reports that the group’s plan is to transform the Holiday Inn on Packer Avenue near the sports complex into a sprawling, multi-million dollar hotel-casino and entertainment zone. The group announced this week that it reached an agreements to acquire the 10-story hotel.

It seems like a no-brainer. The site is in close proximity to the Walt Whitman Bridge, I-95, and I-76. Even more appealing: The site is somewhat removed from residential areas, and most likely won’t provoke the same NIMBY friction as Blatstein’s proposed Provence project at the former site of the Inquirer on North Broad Street.

In addition to building out a 200,000-square-foot casino, Greenwood Gaming plans include a live music venue, rooftop bar, and as many as six restaurants. Hopefully they won’t be the same dismal food options that SugarHouse offers.

Group eyes casino-hotel at sports complex’s Holiday Inn [Inquirer]

Earlier: Piazza Developer Unveils Plans for a North Broad Street Casino

Plans Emerge For a Casino-Hotel Near the Sports Complex